Charity still raising cash after Accrington hero's death

A CHARITY set up by an ex-serviceman from Accrington who died in June last year after a long battle against cancer, is continuing to raise money with the help of his family and friends.

The Wooley Foundation, created by Warren Wolstencroft, has raised more than £1,500 since Warren died and is now planning more events to continue his charitable work.

Ben Wiseman, a friend of Warren’s and Wooley Foundation fundraiser, said: “We are hoping that 2014 will generate even more funds for charities BLESMA and East Lancashire Hospice.

“We have planned a gala dinner on May, 16 at Ewood Park and are also planning a charity football match. From tickets from the dinner alone we should raise £1,500 so we’re hoping it will be a big success.

“Warren was a great friend of mine for over ten years and I had been involved in some of the charity events that Warren organised when he was with us and it just felt really important to carry it on.”

Warren served as part of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment before being diagnosed with rare form of bone cancer, Epithelioid Sarcoma, in 2001.

He underwent an arm amputation to combat the illness but the cancer returned and he was informed it was terminal.

During his illness, Warren tirelessly raised money for BLESMA, a charity that provides help for disabled servicemen and women.

A spokeswoman from BLESMA said: “We got to know Warren Wolstencroft very well and his death was a terrible loss to us.”

Father-of-four Warren, also spent time in East Lancs Hospice before he died and funds raised by the foundation will be split between the two charities.